DIY How to Unstop Vent Pipes
A plumbing vent pipe, also known as a vent stack, vents waste water pipes. The vent channels dangerous sewer gases out of the building and admits air to equalize pressure in the plumbing system. This keeps drain traps functioning properly and allows waste water to flow freely down pipes without creating an impeding vacuum. Symptoms of a clogged plumbing vent pipe differ from a clogged drain. A slow running drain which never completely clogs is one sign. Another sign is the odor of sewer gases or bubbling or gurgling sounds emitting from the drain. The plumbing vent stack commonly vents to the roof of a structure. The list of clogs originating there but extending deeper into the stack includes leaves, bird's nests, live or dead animals and, in cold climates, ice and snow. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Ladder
- Drain snake
- Garden hose
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Instructions
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Test the function of the vent stack. Locate the vent pipe on the roof and have someone run hot water into several drains in the structure simultaneously. If you see vapor from the hot water venting through the vent pipe, the stack may not be clogged. If no vapor appears, the vent stack is probably clogged.
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Buy or rent a drain snake of the same variety used to clear clogs in drains. The length of the snake should be sufficient to reach from the roof down to the lowest point in the vent stack.
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Feed the drain snake into the vent pipe opening on the roof. Because the vent pipe does not contain water, it may not be obvious when the clog is cleared by the snake. It may be necessary to run the entire length of the snake into the vent pipe to assure the clog has been broken up.
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Have someone run hot water into several drains in the structure simultaneously and check again to verify that vapor now emerges from the vent pipe on the roof.
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Insert a garden hose into the vent stack on the roof and turn on the water to flush remains of the clog out after the snake has dislodged it. Water flushed into the vent stack will drain through the normal waste water pipes.
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Tips & Warnings
Exercise caution when climbing up to and working on the roof, particularly with a garden hose that may wet the shingles and affect traction. On steep roofs, a safety harness and line attached to strong anchor points is advised.
